Authorities in eastern India say at least 17 people have been killed in a stampede during a religious festival.

Monday's incident happened in Patna, the capital of Bihar state, as thousands of Hindus gathered along the banks of the Ganges river to offer prayers to the sun god during the Chhath festival.

Police say a power outage caused panic on a bamboo-and-rope bridge that had been built to help devotees cross an area near the river.

Officials say eight children and nine women were killed in the stampede. Several others were rushed to the hospital.

Such incidents are fairly common when thousands gather to mark religious festivals in India. In September, nine people were killed during a stampede in the east.